Mercury will station retrograde in Scorpio from October 24 to November 13, 2026, according to W Magazine's October horoscope. The publication describes the period as a psychologically transformative time focused on the most intimate parts of the self and the surrounding world. Mercury is the second inner planet to station this month, following Venus, which made its first leap at the top of October.
The article explains retrograde motion as the apparent backward movement of a planet in the sky. W Magazine notes that a planet's natural influences tend to go out of whack during retrograde, not because the planets wish harm on anyone, but because moving in that direction is uncomfortable. The publication compares the sensation to sitting on a conveyor belt whose momentum suddenly shifts the opposite way.
Because Mercury rules the mind, communication patterns, daily life and mundane tasks, the article states that everything becomes more tight-lipped while the planet is in Scorpio. W Magazine notes that the recent days of Mercury in Libra left people over-socialized and yearning for peace. The publication adds that Scorpio, a Mars- and Pluto-ruled sign, demands trust, and that the retrograde may prompt people to question their trust in others and their deepest connections.
W Magazine reports that misunderstandings, miscommunications and misgivings in relationships, particularly the most intimate ones, will likely need a second pass-over, and advises against taking anything at face value. Venus is also currently retrograde, and both planets station direct within a day of each other, so the publication says more intentionality in everyday life will be needed. Tension also surrounds actions and the ability to create beautiful things that reflect the true self, with the story people want to share possibly hidden in the shadows out of fear of judgment.
The article states that this retrograde will ultimately close many cycles, with beginnings and endings happening simultaneously. By the end, people will realize what parts of themselves need to be shed or tended to when building more trusting and intimate connections. W Magazine identifies transformation as the key to success during this retrograde, urging readers to release outdated structures, dreams or habits and not repeat the same patterns.
The publication also offered readings for each rising sign. It said Aries will consider what it has inherited and how that has skewed its ability to trust, while Taurus will see relationships tested by new information or old drama. Gemini was told its everyday life will get intense, Cancer may reconnect with creativity and look at love in a new way, and Leo may confront an emotional wound, childhood experience or unresolved tension at home. Virgo was advised to clean out the filing cabinet of its mind, Libra was urged to stop hiding what it truly desires, Scorpio was told to reconnect with itself, and Sagittarius was advised to take things slow and open itself to new spiritual insights.
